Writing in his memoir, serialised in The Times and The Sunday Times, Mr Cameron discussed his decision to move Michael Gove from Education Secretary to Chief Whip. Mr Gove had spent four years at the Department for Education before becoming Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, he was also Justice Secretary in the last year of Mr Cameron’s tenure. Mr Cameron said he “totally flipped” after Mr Gove wrote an email refusing to be moved.
He explained: “Reshuffles fall apart if people go back on their word. This was a job Michael had suggested, that he had accepted, that he had started to do.”
“I rang him and said, ‘I don’t accept your email. You have agreed to do this job. I’ve told you everything we’re planning. I accept your withdrawal of the email, and I expect to speak to you later on today about how we are going to finalise the reshuffle.’
“I followed this with a text: ‘You must realise that I divide the world into team players and w**kers. You’ve always been a team player. Please don’t become a w**ker.’ ”
Mr Gove was replaced by Nicky Morgan.
He is currently coordinating the Government’s no deal Brexit preparations.
As part of a slimming down of Cabinet responsibilities and Cabinet committees, Mr Gove was not given a place on the National Security Council.
His predecessor David Lidington was.
Mr Gove is the Deputy Chair of the EU Exit Strategy committee with Mr Johnson as Chair.
He is also part of the EU Exit, Economy Trade Committee of which Mr Johnson is also Chair.
Mr Gove himself is Chair of the EU Exit Operations committee with Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay as Deputy Chair.
He is also part of the committee for Domestic Affairs and the Union but not for Parliamentary Business and Legislation.
The Government website writes: “Cabinet and Cabinet Committees are groups of ministers that can take collective decisions that are binding across government.
“The Cabinet is the supreme decision-making body in government, dealing with the big issues of the day and the government’s overall strategy.
“Cabinet Committees reduce the burden on Cabinet by enabling collective decisions to be taken by a smaller group of ministers. The composition and terms of reference of Cabinet Committees are a matter for the Prime Minister.”
